Early Cretaceous Intrusive Rocks Research Articles

Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Gangdese arc of southern Tibet do not support shallow subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere

The subduction geometry of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere during the Early Cretaceous (i.e., shallow vs. steep subduction) remains in dispute due to the limited occurrence of the Early Cretaceous igneous rocks in the Gangdese arc. This study reports petrographical, zircon UPb geochronological, zircon Hf isotopic, whole-rock geochemical, and mineral geochemical data for the ultramafic-mafic and intermediate-felsic rocks in the eastern Gangdese arc, southern Tibet. All these rocks were emplaced at ca. 112–105 Ma (i.e. ca. 110 Ma). The ultramafic-mafic rocks (including hornblendite and hornblende gabbro) display field, petrographic, and geochemical features of cumulates and can be explained by the accumulation of hornblende + plagioclase from an andesitic parental magma. The intermediate-felsic rocks (including quartz diorites and granodiorites) show adakitic features and are most likely related to melts that experienced high-pressure hornblende fractionation followed by plagioclase accumulation. Hornblende thermobarometer reveals that these ultramafic-mafic and intermediate-felsic rocks formed at 837–907 °C and 6.6–11.1 kbar, indicating a rapid decompression condition that is most likely related to an extension setting. The data reported in this study and the literature reveal that the Early Cretaceous magmatism was active in the southern margin of the Gangdese arc, suggesting that the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere most likely experienced a steep, rather than a shallow subduction beneath the Lhasa Terrane during the Early Cretaceous.

Igneous records of transformation from ocean to continent of Mongolia–Okhotsk Ocean: Evidence from granitoids of Woduhe area, Heilongjiang Province, China

The Woduhe area of Heilongjiang Province is located in the eastern side of the Greater Xing'an Range. This area has experienced the evolution of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean, the Palaeo‐Pacific, and the Mongolia–Okhotsk Ocean, and it can be used to discuss the transformation process of these palaeo‐oceanic plates to continental plates. However, controversies exist over its time period and the process of transformation. The 1:250000 Woduhe Geological Map shows that Early Cretaceous granitic batholith developed near the Dajinshan area. However, the LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating presented in this paper shows that the trondhjemites from the southern part of the Dajinshan area were formed at 156.9 ± 2.2 Ma, syenogranites were formed at 131.7 ± 1.6 Ma, and diorite porphyrite dikes were formed at 126.0 ± 3.1 Ma. Therefore, Early Cretaceous batholiths should be reclassified as different, separate units. The Late Jurassic intrusive rocks belong to TTGG assemblages (tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite‐granite). Trace element spider diagrams show that the rocks are enriched in K, Pb, Zr, and Hf; depleted in Nb, Ta, and Eu; with higher Sr; and lower Y content. The rare earth element pattern is right‐sloping (La/Yb > 12). The Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks belong to G assemblages (granodiorite). Combined with the tectonic settings, we determined that the Late Jurassic and the Early Cretaceous granites were formed in a magmatic arc setting related to subduction. Late Jurassic intrusive magma mainly originated from the partial melting of the thickened lower crust under the Xing'an arc, and was likely contaminated by mantle material. Early Cretaceous intrusive magma originated from the partial melting of the Xing'an sub‐arc crust. Based on the distribution of the Late Jurassic TTG (N and NE) and G (S and SW) assemblages, intrusive records of the southward and southwestward subduction of the Mongolia–Okhotsk Ocean can be observed. In addition, the grade of maturity of the Xing'an arc is increasing during Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous.

Sr-Nd-Pb and zircon Hf isotopic constraints on the petrogenesis of two types of early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Tongling ore-cluster region: Implications for Cu-Au polymetallic mineralization

Early Cretaceous magmatic activities in the Tongling ore-cluster region of eastern China produced a series of igneous rocks, which can be divided into early-stage ore-bearing intrusions associated with large-scale Cu polymetallic mineralization, and late-stage intrusions that are generally ore-barren. Petrogeneses of these intrusive rocks and their relationship to mineralization are still controversial. To clarify these scientific issues, early-stage ore-bearing intrusive rocks (granodiorite from the Jinziwei deposit and granodiorite porphyry from the Yaojialing deposit) and late-stage ore-barren granodiorite dykes from the Jinziwei deposit are studied. Zircons from early-stage ore-bearing intrusions and late-stage ore-barren rocks yield U–Pb ages of 141–139 Ma, and 129 Ma, respectively, indicating that the gap between the two-stage magmatic events was approximately 10 Ma. The SiO2 contents of the two types of rocks are similar (62.15–68.11 wt% and 64.02–65.91 wt%, respectively), whereas their Sr/Y values (49.26–140.54 and 17.90–21.24, respectively) and Y contents (7.4–16.2 ppm and 20.2–24.0 ppm, respectively) are significantly different, suggesting that the former is adakite and the latter is non-adakite. Whole-rock Sr-Nd-Pb and zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate that the early-stage ore-bearing intrusions were derived from partial melting of the subducted slab (oceanic crust with marine sediments), followed by the interaction of lithospheric mantle peridotite and the later incorporation of Middle-Upper Yangtze continental crust materials during magma ascent/emplacement. The late-stage ore-barren dykes evolved from the early-stage intermediate-basic magma in the Tongling region, which was originated from the enriched lithospheric mantle metasomatized by slab fluids/melts followed by the addition of a small amount of crustal materials. The zircon and apatite geochemical results show that high oxygen fugacity of the early-stage intrusion is a key factor in regional Cu-Au mineralization. Our study reveals the fact that magma with F-rich or Cl-rich characteristics directly controls the type of mineralization. Furthermore, the F-rich magma is favorable for Cu-Mo deposits, and on the other hand, the Cl-rich magma is favorable for Cu-Au-Zn deposits.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of Early Cretaceous Intrusive Rocks in the Northern Ulanhot Area, Central and Southern Great Xing’an Range, NE China

Abundant Early Cretaceous magmatism is conserved in the central and southern Great Xing’an Range (GXR) and has significant geodynamic implications for the study of the Late Mesozoic tectonic framework of northeast China. In this study, we provide new high-precision U–Pb zircon geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and zircon Hf isotopic data for representative intrusive rocks from the northern part of the Ulanhot area to illustrate the petrogenesis types and magma source of these rocks and evaluate the tectonic setting of the central-southern GXR. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb dating showed that magmatism in the Ulanhot area (monzonite porphyry: 128.07 ± 0.62 Ma, quartz monzonite porphyry: 127.47 ± 0.36, quartz porphyry: 124.85 ± 0.34, and granite porphyry: 124.15 ± 0.31 Ma) occurred during the Early Cretaceous. Geochemically, monzonite porphyry belongs to the metaluminous and alkaline series rocks and is characterized by high Al2O3 (average 17.74 wt.%) and TiO2 (average 0.88 wt.%) and low Ni (average 4.63 ppm), Cr (average 6.69 ppm), Mg# (average 31.11), Y (average 15.16 ppm), and Yb (average 1.62 ppm) content with enrichment in Ba, K, Pb, Sr, Zr, and Hf and depletion in Ti, Nb, and Ta. The granitic rocks (e.g., quartz monzonite porphyry, quartz porphyry, and granite porphyry) pertain to the category of high-K calc-alkaline rocks and are characterized by high SiO2 content (>66 wt.%) and low MgO (average 0.69 wt.%), Mg# (average 31.49 ppm), Ni (average 2.78 ppm), and Cr (average 8.10 ppm) content, showing an affinity to I-type granite accompanied by Nb, Ta, P, and Ti depletion and negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.57–0.96; average 0.82). The Hf isotopic data suggest that these rocks were the product of the partial melting of juvenile crustal rocks. Notably, fractionation crystallization plays a crucial role in the process of magma emplacement. Combining our study with published ones, we proposed that the Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Ulanhot area were formed in an extensional tectonic background and compactly related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean plate.

Early Cretaceous granitoids and gabbro in the Liaodong Peninsula: implications for delamination of the North China Craton and Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction

New petrological, whole-rock geochemical, zircon U–Pb geochronological, and zircon Lu–Hf isotopic data have been reported for Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Wulong region of the Liaodong Peninsula on the North China Craton. The zircon U-Pb chronology shows that the crystallization age of six groups of intrusive rocks from this region is 129–123 Myr ago. These intrusive rocks can be categorized into A-type granite (granodiorite), K-rich adakite (porphyritic-like monzogranite), highly fractionated I-type granites (porphyritic-like biotite monzogranite, porphyritic-like syenogranite, and syenogranite), and gabbro. These granitoids are shown to have negative zircon eHf(t) values(-21.0 to -11.1) with old two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2(Hf)) (1.88–2.50 Ga), while gabbro has higher zircon eHf(t) values(-14.3 to -9.4) with younger TDM2(Hf) (1.77–2.08 Ga) model ages. According to our results, we believe that the porphyritic-like monzogranite was produced through partial melting of the thickened eclogitic lower crust, the gabbro was generated by partial melting of a source formed by the mixing of enriched lithospheric mantle and delaminated eclogitic lower crust, the granodiorite was formed by mixing crust materials and mafic melts, the porphyritic-like biotite monzogranite, porphyritic-like syenogranite, and syenogranite originated from the medium- to high-K basaltic lower crust. The bimodal intrusive rocks (gabbro, porphyritic-like monzogranite, and porphyritic-like biotite monzogranite) and A-type granites (granodiorite) were emplaced in an extensional setting associated with Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction. We also determined that the tectonic setting changed from extension to transpression during 125–120 Myr ago (porphyritic-like syenogranite and syenogranite). Moreover, we confirmed the hypothesis that the Early Cretaceous delamination is the result of Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction.

Molybdenite Re–Os, titanite and garnet U–Pb dating of the Magushan skarn Cu–Mo deposit, Xuancheng district, Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt

The Magushan skarn Cu–Mo deposit is a representative example of the skarn mineralization occurring within the Xuancheng ore district of the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt of eastern China. The precise age of an ore deposit is important for understanding the timing of mineralization relative to other geological events in a region and to fully place the formation of a mineral deposit within the geological context of other processes that occur within the study area. Here, we present new molybdenite Re–Os and titanite and andradite garnet U–Pb ages for the Magushan deposit and use these data to outline possible approaches for identifying genetic relationships in geologically complex areas. The spatial and paragenetic relationships between the intrusions, alteration, and mineralization within the study area indicates that the formation of the Magushan deposit is genetically associated with the porphyritic granodiorite. However, this is not always the case, as some areas contain complexly zoned plutons with multiple phases of intrusion or mineralization may be distal from or may not have any clear spatial relationship to a pluton. This means that it may not be possible to determine whether the mineralization formed as a result of single or multiple magmatic/hydrothermal events. As such, the approaches presented in this study provide an approach that allows the identification of any geochronological relationships between mineralization and intrusive events in areas more complex than the study area. Previously published zircon U–Pb data for the mineralization-related porphyritic granodiorite in this area yielded an age of 134.2 ± 1.2 Ma (MSWD = 1.4) whereas the Re–Os dating of molybdenite from the study area yielded an isochron age of 137.7 ± 2.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.43). The timing of the mineralizing event in the study area was further examined by the dating of magmatic accessory titanite and skarn-related andradite garnet, yielding U–Pb ages of 136.3 ± 2.5 Ma (MSWD = 3.2) and 135.9 ± 2.7 Ma (MSWD = 2.5), respectively. The dating of magmatic and hydrothermal activity within the Magushan area yields ages around 136 Ma, strongly suggesting that the mineralization in this area formed as a result of the emplacement of the intrusion. The dates presented in this study also provide the first indication of the timing of mineralization within the Xuancheng district. providing evidence of a close genetic relationship between the formation of the mineralization within the Xuancheng district and the Early Cretaceous magmatism that occurred in this area. This in turn suggests that other Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks within this region are likely to be associated with mineralization and should be considered highly prospective for future mineral exploration. This study also indicates that the dating of garnet and titanite can also provide reliable geochronological data and evidence of the timing of mineralization and magmatism, respectively, in areas lacking other dateable minerals (e.g., molybdenite) or where the relationship between mineralization and magmatism is unclear, for example in areas with multiple stages of magmatism, with complexly zoned plutons, and with distal skarn mineralization.

Genesis of Cretaceous igneous rocks and its related large scale porphyry Cu-Au mineralization in Chating, the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt: The geochemical constrains

The newly discovered large Chating porphyry Cu–Au deposit is associated with early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Belt (MLYRB), eastern China. Two types of intrusive rocks in the Chating area have been identified, i.e., the quartz-diorite porphyry, related to the Cu–Au mineralization, and the diorite porphyry that is ore-barren. Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating yields 145–136 Ma for the Chating intrusions. They both belong to High-K calc-alkaline series, with enrichments of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), depletions of high field-strength elements (HFSEs) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), and no or slightly negative Eu anomalies. The quartz-diorite porphyry shows high Sr contents and Sr/Y ratios; low MgO, Cr and Ni contents; medium (La/Yb)N and Mg# (34.6–54.6) and low K2O/Na2O (<1) values; decoupling of Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N; and low Th/U (3.49–6.08) values, thus exhibiting characteristics of slab-derived adakitic rocks. In addition, it has slightly enriched Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.70655–0.70717, εNd(t) = −6.9 to −8.8, and εHf(t) = −7.6 to −10.6) and high radiogenic Pb isotopes ((206Pb/204Pb)i = 18.22–18.70, (207Pb/204Pb)i = 15.63–15.66 and (208Pb/204Pb)i = 38.49–38.97), reflecting the involvement of subducted sediments in the magma source. Therefore, the fertile quartz-diorite porphyry was most likely generated by the partial melting of the slab-derived, subducted sediments and a partial degree of metasomatized mantle-derived magma with crustal assimilation. As to the barren diorite porphyry, it has similar Sr–Nd–Pb isotope and trace element features as the fertile adakitic samples. However, it shows relatively lower SiO2 contents; high contents of MgO (3.89–4.06 wt%), Cr and Ni (avg. 47.6 ppm and avg. 15.01 ppm); high Mg# (51.2–69.8); and more enriched Hf isotope characteristics (−8.5 to −12.9), which imply that this barren diorite porphyry could be generated from the partial melting of enriched metasomatised lithospheric mantle assimilated with old continental crust materials. The δ34S values of the pyrite and chalcopyrite of the ores in Chating indicate a magmatic-derived source, resembling other porphyry-skarn Cu–Au deposits in the MLYRB. The fertile Qtz-diorite porphyry adakitic rocks are characterized by higher oxygen fugacities than the barren diorite porphyry, which are closely related with the partial melting of the subducted oceanic slab in an oxidizing environment, thus making them favorable for Cu–Au mineralization.

Geochronological and geochemical data for Late Palaeozoic–Mesozoic intrusive rocks in the Wenkutu area, northeastern China: New constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Great Xing'an Range

The occurrence of igneous rocks within the Wenkutu area, northeastern China, allows the Late Palaeozoic–Mesozoic geodynamic setting of the Great Xing'an Range to be investigated. Here, we present petrographic, geochemical, and geochronological data for intrusive rocks within the Wenkutu area. Zircon U–Pb geochronology reveals that magmatism occurred during the Early Carboniferous (ca. 334 Ma), Early Permian (ca. 296 Ma), Middle Jurassic (ca. 170 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (ca. 130 Ma). The Early Carboniferous intrusive rocks are intermediate–mafic, metaluminous, and medium‐K calc‐alkaline, have low SiO2 (49.57–55.00 wt.%) and high MgO (3.00–4.77 wt.%), Cr (average 60.64 ppm), and Ni (average 24.73 ppm) contents, and high Mg# (average 45.1) values. These features, together with their significant depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti, and their enriched Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, suggest that these Early Carboniferous rocks were derived from the mantle and subsequently contaminated by crustal material. The Early Permian, Middle Jurassic, and Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks are intermediate–acidic, peraluminous, and high‐K calc‐alkaline, enriched in light rare‐earth elements, Rb, Th, U, K, P, and Hf, relatively depleted in heavy rare‐earth elements, Nb, Ta, and Ti, and have Eu/Eu* values of 0.05–0.86. These features indicate that the rocks were derived by the partial melting of lower crust. Our results, together with those of previous studies, suggest that the Late Palaeozoic intrusive rocks formed during collision between the Songnen and Xing'an massifs. The Early Permian intrusive rocks formed during the transition from an orogenic to a non‐orogenic environment. The Middle Jurassic intrusive rocks formed during the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean (MOO) and were emplaced along the western part of the suture zone. The Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks formed during non‐orogenic extension and were related to the final closure of the MOO or to rollback of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate.

Geochronology and geochemistry of Mesozoic intrusive rocks in the Xing'an Massif of NE China: Implications for the evolution and spatial extent of the Mongol–Okhotsk tectonic regime

This study presents new zircon U–Pb–Hf and whole-rock geochemical data for intrusive rocks in the Xing'an Massif of NE China, with the aim of furthering our understanding of the evolution and spatial influence of the Mongol–Okhotsk tectonic regime. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that five stages of Mesozoic magmatism are recorded in the Xing'an Massif, namely during the Middle Triassic (~237 Ma), the Late Triassic (~225 Ma), the Early Jurassic (~178 Ma), the Middle Jurassic (~168 Ma), and the late Early Cretaceous (~130 Ma). The Middle Triassic–Early Jurassic intrusive rocks in the Xing'an Massif are dominantly granodiorites, monzogranites, and syenogranites that formed from magma generated by partial melting of newly accreted continental crust. Geochemistry of the Middle Triassic–Early Jurassic granitoid suites of the Xing'an Massif indicates their formation at an active continental margin setting, related to the southwards subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate. The Middle Jurassic monzogranites in the Xing'an Massif are geochemically similar to adakites and have εHf(t) values (+3.8 to +5.8) and Hf two-stage model ages (TDM2; 979–850 Ma) that are indicative of derivation from magma generated by partial melting of thickened juvenile lower crust. The Middle Jurassic monzogranites formed in a compressional setting related to the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. The late Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Xing'an Massif are dominated by A-type granitoids that are associated with bimodal volcanic rocks, suggesting their formation in an extensional environment related to either (i) delamination of a previously thickened region of the crust, associated with the Mongol–Okhotsk tectonic regime; (ii) the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate; or (iii) the combined influence of these two tectonic regimes.

Geochemical fingerprints and pebbles zircon geochronology: Implications for the provenance and tectonic setting of Lower Cretaceous sediments in the Zhucheng Basin (Jiaodong peninsula, North China)

This paper conducts a petrogeochemical analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Laiyang Group’s sandstones, compares the results with the Neoproterozoic and Mesozoic intrusive rocks in the southern Sulu Orogen (also called the Jiaonan Orogen), and performs an LA-ICP-MS zircon geochronology analysis of the granitic gneisses in the conglomerates of the Laiyang Group and the intrusive rocks in the Jiaonan Orogen. The results show that the major element proportions of the Longwangzhuang Formation (LWZ Fm) and Qugezhuang Formation (QGZ Fm) of the Laiyang Group in the Zhucheng Basin are similar. The values of various indices for the LWZ Fm are similar to the average sandstone content of active continental margins, whereas, the values for the QGZ Fm are similar to those of continental island arcs. The comparison shows that the REE characteristics of the LWZ Fm and QGZ Fm of Laiyang Group are similar to those of the Neoproterozoic granitic gneisses in the Jiaonan Orogen but obviously different from those of the Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks. A tectonic setting discrimination diagram reveals that the provenance of the Laiyang Group includes features of active continental margins and continental island arcs. A number of indicators, e.g., the sandstone type, the Chemical Index of Alteration, the Chemical Index of Weathering, the Plagioclase Index of Alteration and the Index of Chemical Constituent Variation, indicated that the sandstones did not undergo intense weathering and were deposited near the source area. The zircon ages of the granitic gneiss material in the conglomerates at the base of the Laiyang Group are 790 ± 8.4 Ma, close to the ages of the Neoproterozoic granitic gneiss in the Jiaonan Orogen (739–819 Ma), and very different from the ages of the Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks. Combining with paleocurrent directions, geochemical character, the Neoproterozoic granitic gneisses in the Jiaonan Orogen may represent the primary provenance of the Laiyang Group in the Zhucheng Basin. During the depositional period of the Laiyang Group, the source rocks did not experience intense weathering, which indicated the Jiaonan Orogen experienced rapid uplift during this time, and coincided with the high exhumed rate of 2.0 km Ma −1 from before ca. 128 to 123 Ma in Jiaonan Orogen. The rapid subsidence during the formation of the Laiyang Group in the Zhucheng Basin and the rapid uplift of the Jiaonan Orogen are the result of a single regional extensional event associated with the lithospheric thinning and destruction of North China and peripheral cratons.

Partial melting of subducted paleo-Pacific plate during the early Cretaceous: Constraint from adakitic rocks in the Shaxi porphyry Cu–Au deposit, Lower Yangtze River Belt

A large porphyry Cu–Au deposit associated with early Cretaceous intrusive rocks has been discovered and explored in the Shaxi area, Lower Yangtze River Belt (LYRB), eastern China. We studied two types of intrusive rocks in the Shaxi area: Cu–Au mineralization related diorites and quartz-diorites (adakitic rocks), and newly found high Sr/Y ratio biotite-gabbros. They were formed almost simultaneously with crystallization ages of ca. 130 to 129Ma, younger than the early stage shoshonitic rocks (Longmenyuan, Zhuanqiao and Shuangmiao Fm.) in the Luzong volcanic basin, ~10km south of the Shaxi area. These intrusive rocks show similar distribution patterns of trace elements (enriched in LILEs and depleted in HFSEs) and REEs (enriched in LREEs and depleted in HREEs, no Eu negative anomaly, flat HREE patterns). The diorites and quartz-diorites are adakitic rocks with calc-alkaline affinity, distinguished from other adakitic rocks in the LYRB which are high-K calc-alkaline series. The biotite-gabbros are not adakitic rocks, although they are characterized by high Sr/Y ratios.Shaxi adakitic rocks show positive zircon εHf(t) values, which may be attributed to the contribution of subducted oceanic crust, while the εHf(t) values of the biotite-gabbros are mostly negative, indicating the involvement of old crustal materials. Although Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes of Shaxi adakitic rocks are more depleted than those of other adakitic rocks in the LYRB, they are still slightly enriched, similar to continental arc adakites in the Andean Austral Volcanic Zone. The Shaxi adakitic rocks are characterized by high Sr contents and Sr/Y ratios, medium (La/Yb)N, MgO contents and Mg#, and low K2O/Na2O ratios, decoupling of Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N, low Th/U values, exhibiting characteristics of slab-derived adakitic rocks. They were not produced by fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas like adakitic rocks in Edong–Jiurui and Tongling but originally generated from partial melting of subducted paleo-Pacific Plate. Their enriched Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopes indicate that the primary adakitic melts experienced assimilation of LYRB continental crust during ascending to the surface. While other high-K calc-alkaline “C-type” adakitic rocks in the LYRB were generated from mantle melting followed by crustal AFC processes. The Shaxi biotite-gabbros were generated from partial melting of enriched sub-continental lithosphere mantle (SCLM), which was previously metasomatized by sediment melts and adakitic slab melts. The LYRB adakitic rocks are characterized by high oxygen fugacities, thus favorable for Cu–Au mineralization.

Origin and tectonic setting of the giant Duolong Cu–Au deposit, South Qiangtang Terrane, Tibet: Evidence from geochronology and geochemistry of Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks

We constrain the origin and tectonic setting of the giant Duolong porphyry–epithermal Cu–Au deposit in the South Qiangtang Terrane of northern Tibet, based on new zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic data, as well as whole-rock major and trace element data from poorly studied ore-associated intrusions in the Duolong area. The LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the ore-associated rocks formed between 121 and 126Ma. These ore-associated rocks are geochemically similar to low-K tholeiitic M-type granitoids and to mid- to high-K, calc-alkaline I-type granitoids. They have variable and predominantly positive zircon εHf(t) values (−1.4 to +15.6) and variable crustal model ages (TCDM(Hf); 176–1122Ma). Taking into account previous data and the regional geology of the study area, we propose that the ore-associated rocks originated from fractional crystallization of mantle-derived mafic melts and magma mixing of mantle-derived mafic and hybrid lower crust-derived felsic melts, and the hybrid lower crust included a mix of juvenile and older continental material. The Duolong porphyry–epithermal Cu–Au deposit formed within an ‘ensialic forearc’ of an active continental margin as a result of the northwards subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean crust beneath the South Qiangtang Terrane.

Geochronology and tectonic settings of Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Ulanhot region, central and southern Da Xingan Range

AbstractZircon U–Pb dating and whole-rock geochemical analysis have been performed on Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks of the Ulanhot area, NE China, with the aim of constraining the tectonic evolution of the central and southern Da Xingan Range. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous magmatic events experienced four stages at:c.155 Ma;c.144 Ma; 135–130 Ma; andc.126 Ma. Thec.155 Ma magmatic event consists of quartz diorite and granite-porphyryp with the geochemical characteristic of high Sr and Sr/Y or high A/CNK (1.38), implying the primary magma was derived from partial melting of a thickened lower crust which induced the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. Thec.144 Ma magmatic event consists of quartz monzodiorite with the geochemical characteristics of alkaline series, and indicates the delamination of a thickened crust. The 135–130 Ma magmatic event consists of syenogranite and granite-porphyry with characteristics of both I-type and A-type granites, which induced both the subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific oceanic plate and the post-orogenic extension of the Mongol–Okhotsk Orogenic Belt. Thec.126 Ma magmatic event consisted of highly fractionated I-type biotite granite and alkaline series gabbro, marking the end of the Mongol–Okhotsk Orogen, and implying that the study area was controlled by the circum-Pacific tectonic system during this stage.

Tectonic implications of Early Cretaceous low-Mg adakitic rocks generated by partial melting of thickened lower continental crust at the southern margin of the central North China Craton

This paper reports new whole-rock geochemical, Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic, and zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic data for Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Sanmenxia–Houma area of central China, and uses these data to constrain the petrogenesis of low-Mg adakitic rocks (LMAR) and the spatial extent of the influence of the deeply subducted Yangtze slab during the Triassic evolution of this region. New zircon laser-ablation inductivity coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb data indicate that the early- and late-stage southern Quli, Qiligou, and Gaomiao porphyritic quartz diorites, the Canfang granodiorite, and the northern Wangmao porphyritic quartz monzodiorite were emplaced during the Early Cretaceous (~130Ma) and the late Early Cretaceous (~116Ma). These rocks are characterized by high Na2O/K2O, Sr/Y, and (La/Yb)n ratios as well as high Sr concentrations, low Mg# [molar 100×Mg/(Mg+Fe2+tot)] values, and low heavy rare earth element and Y concentrations, all of which indicate an LMAR affinity. The samples have relatively high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7054–0.7095), and low εNd(t) (−11.90 to −22.20) and εHf(t) (−16.7 to −32.7) values, indicative of a lower continental crust origin. The presence of Neoproterozoic (754–542Ma) and inherited Late Triassic (220Ma) metamorphic zircons within the late Early Cretaceous LMAR and the relatively high 206Pb/204Pb ratios of these rocks suggest that they formed from primary magmas derived from partial melting of Yangtze Craton (YC) basement material that had undergone ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism. In contrast, the presence of Paleoproterozoic and Archean inherited zircons within early Early Cretaceous LMAR in this area and the relatively low 206Pb/204Pb ratios of these rocks are indicative of derivation from primary magmas generated by partial melting of the thickened lower continental crust of the North China Craton (NCC). These rocks may have formed in an extensional environment associated with the upwelling of asthenospheric mantle material. The presence of YC basement material within the NCC in the Sanmenxia–Houma area suggests that the deeply subducted Yangtze slab influenced an area of ~100km in lateral extent within the southern margin of the central NCC during the Triassic.

Geochronology, geochemistry, and deformation history of Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the Erguna Massif, NE China: Constraints on the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk orogenic belt

This paper presents new zircon and sphene U–Pb ages, biotite and hornblende 40Ar/39Ar ages, Hf isotopic data, and geochemical data for five Mesozoic plutons in the Erguna Massif of NE China. These data are used to constrain the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk orogenic belt. This new dating, when combined with previously published ages, indicates that the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (J3–K1) intrusive rocks can be subdivided into three stages that represent periods of magmatism during the Late Jurassic (~155Ma), early Early Cretaceous (~137Ma), and late Early Cretaceous (~123Ma). In addition, the rocks have undergone later deformation recorded by peak ages of ~137 and ~123Ma. The Late Jurassic and early Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the study area are dominantly syenogranites and are either A-type granites or are classified as alkaline series, suggesting that they formed in an extensional environment. The late Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in this area are generally monzogranitic and were emplaced as dikes in an extensional environment, along with coeval bimodal volcanics. These data, combined with the presence of regional unconformities in the northern part of Hebei Province and western part of Liaoning Province, and the spatial distribution of coeval volcanic rocks in NE China, suggest the Late Jurassic and early Early Cretaceous magmatisms and the early Early Cretaceous deformation in this area occurred in an extensional environment related to the delamination of a thickened part of the crust after closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. In comparison, the late Early Cretaceous deformation and magmatism occurred in an extensional environment related to either delamination of the previously thickened crust related to the Mongol–Okhotsk tectonic regime or the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate, or the combined influence of these two tectonic regimes.